Arrival at the airport, transfer to the hotel in the Catania area (half-board)

Hike: approx. 6 km, 3 hours, 200Mt, Difficulty: Medium

Today you go up to Mount Etna Nord (UNESCO World Heritage), which at 3,300 m altitude is one of the largest still active volcanoes in Europe. Through vineyards, barren mountain landscapes and cold lava flows, you take the bus into a strange-looking lunar landscape. The ascent by bus is usually possible up to a height of approx. 1,600 m. From there we make a hike to Satorius Craters up to 1,820 Mt. Then we continue to a lava grotto, which we visit with ropes and a hard hat. In the forest we will organize a picnic and barbecue with Etna wine and mineral water. Half-board.

Ascent/descent: 1200 M/1,400 m, walking time: 3h, Difficulty: Heavy

Short, more challenging tour to the “Matterhorn of Sicily”, a great peak, the Rocca di Novara. And on the descent a detour to the M. Ritagli di Lecca in the Peloritani Mountains, in the northeast of Sicily…

After the road junction we climb right up to a mountain saddle and turn left to Rocca di Novarra 1340 m. Back to the saddle, continue straight and left directly to the M. Ritagli 1209 m. Then back to the Bivio Fondachelli car park.

Also today we have a delicious picnic during the hike.

Half board

Length: 5 km Altitude: 1328m, Descent: 200m – Duration: 3h, Difficulty: Easy

The Argimusco with its megaliths is the Sicilian Stonehenge.

Heading west via Montalbano, along the road between the village and Randazzo, at the crossroads just before entering the forest, you will find the impressive rock formations in the dell’Argimusco plateau, which rises to a height of more than a thousand meters.

On this huge plateau there are gigantic boulders (megaliths) of limestone. Rain and wind have eroded them and cast them in strange forms. Probably they are natural formations. They have always inspired the imagination of the local people. Visible from a great distance, the area today and in the past gives the impression that it is a sacred place where you can feel ancient rites and myths in the fog of time.

For lunch we go to a “Salumeria” in Santa Domenica Vittoria and will taste the pleasures of the Nebrodi Mountains; Ham and salami from the famous “Maialino dei Nebrodi” (Nebrodi piglet), sheep cheese, goat cheese, ricotta, olives, dried tomatoes, fresh bread, olive oil. And many things to take away: the rustic Sicily is easy to enjoy at home.

Half board in the hotel

Hike: approx. 7 km, 3.5 hrs, 200 m x 0 m

Between San Vito lo Capo and Castellammare del Golfo, the mountain slopes that descend to the sea and form numerous small bays announce the entrance to the Lo Zingaro Nature Reserve.

Small paths lead to the sea or into the mountains, allowing you to cross one of the most intact landscapes of the Mediterranean. Countless bird species such as peregrine falcons or hawk eagles nest in this area. Many endemic and rare plants grow here. Spectacular is the dwarf palm, symbol of the park.

At noon we will eat “Pane Cunzato”. A symbol of Scopello is the bakery, which offers lavishly stocked bread of a Sicilian style: “Panificio di Stabile Anselmo”.

In the afternoon you will visit the archaeological area of Segesta, famous for its well-preserved Doric temple.

Half board in the hotel

Length of the route: 5.3 km, Difficulty: Medium – Running time: 3 hours, return time: 2 hours. Departure 1100 Mt to 1650 Mt.

This wonderful as well as demanding hike offers broad views of the valley of the Imera South river, with a change to the Mediterranean vegetation. It continues steeply uphill between the Rocca del Pomo fortresses (1,469 m asl) on the left and Rocca Vaccaro (1,428 m asl) on the right. The vegetation thins out, but offers the first beech trees, milkweed hedges, gorse, wild pears and orchids on the slopes. The first covered velvet plants can be seen over 1,200 meters above sea level. After the southern slopes of Monte Alto, where the sanctuary is located, you come to a green clearing. In front of it you can see the mountain Monte San Salvatore. On the left is the path that leads to the Madonna degli Angeli gorge and on the right is the path that leads to the Sanctuary of Madonna dell’Alto at an altitude of 1,819 meters above sea level. leads. When you reach the sacred building from the 15th century, you can enjoy a 360-degree view of the landscape, a series of valleys, hills, rivers and mountains. In the distance you can see Mount Etna, the Imera valley, the highest peaks of the Agrigentino region and the sharp mountain cliffs that rise directly in front of the sanctuary.

In the forest we will organize a picnic and barbecue with Madonie wine and mineral water.

Half board in the hotel

Length: 7 to 8 km, Altitude: 100m, Descent: 190m, Duration: 3/4 h, Difficulty: easy

The Alcantara is a river that flows from the south side of the Monti Nebrodi into the Ionian Sea near Taormina. The Alcantara has partly eaten into deep gorges in the lava rock and offers a geological spectacle for hikers. The Alcantara was blocked by Etna’s lava rock thousands of years ago and ate its way into the rock. On the Alcantara we see different formations of the cooled lava – this river hike is particularly suitable for geologically interested hikers. Drive to Agriturismo San Cataldo and farewell dinner for an “Arrivederci” next year in Sicily with a different program.

End of our round trip and transfer to Catania airport.